PLEASE NOTE
The information on the BambooZoo site is as much as 10 years old and in the hobby much has been learned. Though, I believe there is merit in keeping the site open. There are many controversial issues presented in these pages. Please view BambooZoo as a starting point in your research.
These beings are as complicated as we are and deserve more than a basic 5 paragraph care sheet to maintain their health and well being.
My passion has changed. This is where I am today. Change the World.
GETTING GECKOS OFF THE GLASS
Young Marbled Gecko
Your gecko will be quite content to sleep on the glass all day.
Bamboozoo
I recently saw this comment on a care sheet and it struck me as an odd statement. Now I am not saying that he cannot be healthy and unstressed in the situation and doing just fine, but...if your environment is working for your critter, wouldn't he be using the "furniture" you are providing? Clinging against a piece of glass isn't a natural behaviour. This applies to many other species as well.....dragons clinging to mesh fencing or frilleds as one example.
Zoos went this way many years ago. I have often wondered why many in the hobby resist the move towards providing as natural a habitat as possible. Yes, it is difficult in a very limited space but not impossible and the smaller the species being worked with, the better chance of success or the larger the enclosure.
The female Leaftail on a vine.
The relationship you can have with your reptile changes in many ways as well. These animals may be in your care for many years. A dog, cat or bird can communicate well enough with us to attract our attention, reptiles do not have this option, our attention has to visually drawn to them to know what is happening with their condition. A natural environment is pleasing to our eyes therefore keeping us tuned to what is going on within.
Maintenance is very different. Filters done weekly, extra water added every couple of days for the smaller water areas, weekly for the larger. The waterfalls they have on the market are difficult to maintain. Crickets get into them and die but you don't see them, breeding bacteria. There are no filters or for others very small ones. The larger the water area, or deeper and narrow in a container that can support large filters with the capacity to provide superior cleaning the easier it will be on the keeper. I also use GSE (grapefruit seed extract) in my water areas, a product many bird keepers have on hand that can be found in the health food stores. GSE helps to kill some bacterias.
Maintenance is very different. Filters done weekly, extra water added every couple of days for the smaller water areas, weekly for the larger. The waterfalls they have on the market are difficult to maintain. Crickets get into them and die but you don't see them, breeding bacteria. There are no filters or for others very small ones. The larger the water area, or deeper and narrow in a container that can support large filters with the capacity to provide superior cleaning the easier it will be on the keeper. I also use GSE (grapefruit seed extract) in my water areas, a product many bird keepers have on hand that can be found in the health food stores. GSE helps to kill some bacterias.
The old Leaftail setup
White vinegar will also help to maintain the health of the water. I also use the fish marketed product that cleans the water. The larger filters here have the biological filtering process.
The soils in the moderate to humid environments I have built slowly, starting with the 5 foot in the living room. I have rotting pieces of wood in my gardens that have attracted my attention over the years. (Some I even moved here with me. Should have seen the look on Chris's face when I said I was moving them. ::laughing::) As smaller pieces break off or can be pulled apart I bring them into the house to use and bring the isopods and some dew worms with them, avoiding earwigs and spiders if possible.
The soils in the moderate to humid environments I have built slowly, starting with the 5 foot in the living room. I have rotting pieces of wood in my gardens that have attracted my attention over the years. (Some I even moved here with me. Should have seen the look on Chris's face when I said I was moving them. ::laughing::) As smaller pieces break off or can be pulled apart I bring them into the house to use and bring the isopods and some dew worms with them, avoiding earwigs and spiders if possible.
The Day Gecko Environment
The isopods (potatoe bug, pill bug, sow beetle, rollypolly, they have a ton of names) live and breed ok though they are not overwhelming the environments. These seem to be a staple food for the fire bellies who I no longer specifically feed at all. I try to make sure that they have access to worms by making the soil extra moist once every couple of weeks, drawing the worms to the surface.
Furniture ~ If your gecko is hanging off the walls, your furniture is inadequate. It took me a long time to realize that. It dawned on me when I created an environment for the Day Geckos one time. In just a few days they stopped travelling the walls and did not return to them. I am not saying that they would never be seen on the wooden enclosure but it became much rarer.
If the environment you are creating works for them you will know it. If not rethink and adjust until it does. More wood, more plants, more security, more humidity. Mostly, I work with fake plants, real ones are a big responsibility. It is easier with species that don't claw at them like Cresteds, Days, Leaftails and Anoles vs. Water Dragons or Tegus almost impossible for anything larger. Many who do succeed with live plants will keep spares and exchange them when necessary and leave them in pots.
If the environment you are creating works for them you will know it. If not rethink and adjust until it does. More wood, more plants, more security, more humidity. Mostly, I work with fake plants, real ones are a big responsibility. It is easier with species that don't claw at them like Cresteds, Days, Leaftails and Anoles vs. Water Dragons or Tegus almost impossible for anything larger. Many who do succeed with live plants will keep spares and exchange them when necessary and leave them in pots.
With appreciation expressed to the many participating in building this site.
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